Access Adams County Felony Records
Adams County felony records are filed and maintained in Decatur, the county seat. The Adams County Clerk of Courts and the Adams County Sheriff's Department both hold criminal records tied to felony cases. You can search Adams County felony records through Indiana MyCase, through the Adams County Courts online record search portal, or by visiting the Clerk's office at the Adams County Government Building. This page covers the tools and contacts available for finding felony records in Adams County.
Adams County Felony Records Quick Facts
Adams County Clerk of Courts
The Adams County Clerk of Courts is at the Adams County Government Building, 313 W. Jefferson Street in Decatur. Call (260) 724-2600 to reach the Clerk's office. The Clerk handles all criminal case filings, civil matters, and official court records for the Adams County Circuit Court and Superior Court. For felony records specifically, the Clerk is the primary office. They hold case documents, court orders, judgments, and certified copies. Bring photo ID and any case details you have when visiting in person.
| Office | Adams County Clerk of Courts |
|---|---|
| Address | Adams County Government Building 313 W. Jefferson Street, Decatur, IN 46733 |
| Phone | (260) 724-2600 |
| Website | co.adams.in.us/174/Clerks-Office |
The Adams County Superior Court page is at co.adams.in.us/187/Superior-Court. Copy fees follow Indiana Code: $1.00 per page for plain copies, plus $3.00 per document for certified copies. A Chronological Case Summary is $1.00. Payments are accepted by cash, money order, or credit card. Call ahead to confirm the accepted payment methods before mailing a request.
Note: For the most current Adams County court fees and processing times, contact the Clerk's office directly before submitting a records request.
Adams County Felony Records Online Search
Adams County has its own dedicated court records search portal at adamscountycourts.com/recordSearch.php. This county-specific tool lets you search for cases in the Adams County courts by name or case number. It is a useful supplement to the statewide MyCase portal. For the broadest search, use both: the county portal for Adams County-specific results and MyCase at public.courts.in.gov/mycase for the full statewide Indiana court record view.
The Indiana Judicial Branch page for Adams County at in.gov/courts/local/adams-county lists court contacts and additional resources. For a statewide criminal history search, the Indiana State Police Limited Criminal History system at in.gov/ai/appfiles/isp-lch covers felony and Class A misdemeanor arrests across Indiana. The fee is $15.70 per name-based search. This is the most complete single-source tool for Indiana felony history, including Adams County cases going back several decades.
The Adams County Sheriff's Department website at co.adams.in.us/186/Sheriffs-Department has law enforcement contacts for the county. For victim notifications about Adams County cases, the VINE system at 866-959-VINE provides free custody change alerts.
The Adams County Courts record search portal provides direct access to case information filed in Adams County's local courts, and is one of the more straightforward county-level search tools available in northeastern Indiana.
Adams County Sheriff Arrest Records
The Adams County Sheriff's Department is at 911 W Peacekeepers Way in Decatur. Call (260) 724-5345 to reach the department. The fax is (260) 724-5346. The Sheriff's Department holds arrest records for felony arrests made in Adams County. These records are created at the time of arrest and are separate from the court case files held by the Clerk. When you are researching a felony case, you may want to check both the Sheriff and the Clerk to get the full picture from arrest through court judgment.
Under IC 5-14-3-5, the Adams County Sheriff must make certain records available to the public. Arrest logs, daily activity reports, and related documents are open to anyone. You do not need to provide a reason. If someone is arrested on a felony charge in Adams County and later sent to a state prison, check the IDOC Offender Locator at offenderlocator.idoc.in.gov for current custody status. VINE at vinelink.com and Indiana SAVIN both offer free custody change notifications for Adams County jail and state prison offenders.
Adams County Felony Case Filing
When a felony arrest occurs in Adams County, the Prosecutor reviews the case and decides whether to file formal charges. If charges are filed, the case is assigned to the Adams County Circuit Court or Superior Court in Decatur. The Clerk tracks every filing from first appearance through sentencing. All court orders, motions, and the final judgment become part of the official Adams County felony record. These are accessible through the Adams County Courts portal, MyCase, or directly from the Clerk's office.
Adams County shares a border with Ohio to the east. If a person has criminal records in both Adams County and Ohio, you would need to search each state's records separately. The Indiana State Police LCH covers Indiana records only. For Ohio records, you would contact Ohio's respective agencies. Always start with the county and state where the felony offense occurred.
Note: Adams County courts use mandatory e-filing for attorneys. Members of the public file documents in person at the Clerk's office during regular business hours.
Adams County Felony Expungement
Indiana's expungement law under IC 35-38-9 allows Adams County residents to petition the court to seal certain felony records. Filing fees for expungement petitions are waived under Indiana law. When a petition is granted, the sealed records are removed from MyCase, the Adams County Courts portal, and the Indiana State Police criminal history database. They stop showing up in public searches. The petition is filed in the Adams County court that handled the original case.
Waiting periods depend on the offense type. Arrests with no resulting conviction may qualify after one year in some situations. Less serious felony convictions usually require an eight-year wait. More serious felonies need ten years plus written consent from the Adams County Prosecutor. All fines, costs, and restitution must be paid in full before filing the petition. Certain offenses including violent crimes and sex offenses listed in IC 35-38-9-8.5 cannot be expunged in Indiana.
The Indiana Public Access Counselor at in.gov/pac is a free state resource that can help you understand whether your Adams County felony record qualifies for expungement and what the process involves.